Option 1:

Morning Sightseeing to Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Then Drive to Ramechhap: 4 hours drive at 2.00 AM in the morning of Day 3

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 9.30am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites; today we will cover two of them:

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati River visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Note: The rest of this afternoon is at your leisure.  We will leave from Kathmandu at 2am in the morning to reach Ramechhap for the flight to Lukla for the following reason:

The Government of Nepal has announced that until further notice most flights to and from Lukla will be from Ramechhap (Manthali Airport).  This will avoid heavy traffic congestion in Kathmandu airport.  The airport in Ramechhap is located 130km from Kathmandu (approximately 3-4 hours drive).  As Ramechhap is a very small town and off the usual tourist route, accommodation facilities are basic and limited.  It is likely that given this new situation, accommodation will be hard to find.  Thus driving direct from Kathmandu to Ramechhap in the early morning is the most realistic option.

Overnight (until 2am) at the hotel. Included meals: breakfast.

Option 2:

Entire day sightseeing to Swayambhunath ,Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Overnight at hotel in Kathmandu and fly next day from Kathmandu directly to Lukla via helicopter.

Today your Nepal adventure begins!  After breakfast, at around 10.00 am, our tour guide and private vehicle will collect you from your hotel to take you to some of the most historical and interesting heritage sites in Kathmandu.  Kathmandu Valley has no less than seven world heritage sites, today we will cover three of them:

Swayambhunath: Swayambhunath Stupa (or Monkey Temple as its often know) has great importance to the Valley’s indigenous Newar population whose religion is a unique blend of Buddhism and Hinduism.  We reach the top by a long staircase from the east. In addition to devotees, visitors can see many monkeys on the climb up to the stupa (please do not feed or pet them), and have a wonderful view over Kathmandu.

Boudhanath Stupa:  Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most revered Buddhist sites in Kathmandu.  Here in the early morning and late afternoon, hundreds of Tibetan and Nepali Buddhists come to circumnavigate the stupa in prayer with the sound of spinning prayer wheels and the ringing of bells filling the air. It is possible to eat in one of the many good restaurants around the stupa. 

Pashupatinath: Pashupati Temple is the most holy and significant temple among worshipers of Lord Shiva.  Non-Hindus are not allowed into Pashupatinath Temple itself but by standing on the opposite banks of the Bagmati River, visitors can view the ghats where worship and ritual bathing takes place.  A few metres downstream the burning ghats often present a horrific fascination. If that is too intimate, there are plenty of small shrines and trails to explore.

There will be time for exploring the tourist hub of Thamel and doing last minute shopping for essential trekking snacks etc before dinner. 

Note: With this option you will avoid the middle of the night drive to Ramecchap and will fly directly by helicopter from Kathmandu to Lukla on the morning of Day 03.

Depending on your choice, today we fly from Ramechhap or from Kathmandu to Lukla. Estimated arrival time in Lukla is the same for either option. After your arrival in Lukla, your guide and porters will meet you and from here we trek to Phakding. The trail starts by descending to Cheplung village.  We may be able to catch sight of Mt Khumbila from here.  This is a sacred mountain which, as such, has never been climbed.  From here the trail descents till Phakding where you overnight.  This is where your climbing adventure begins!

Today the trail takes you upwards over steep inclines, through pine forests, and across high suspension bridges overhanging icy cold water flowing off the mountains. Crossing the Dudh Koshi River towards Monjo you are now entering Sagarmatha National Park.  Tonight sleep in the famous town of Namche Bazaar.

Today’s acclimatization day is designed to allow your body to get used to the altitude.  You can either simply explore Namche or hike to Khumjung Village to visit the school and hospital set up by Sir Edmund Hillary for the Sherpa people.  As you know, Sir Edmund, along with Tenzin Norgay Sherpa, was the first person to summit Everest. You can also visit Khumjung Monastery.  Returning to Namche you might want to take a last opportunity to pick up any snacks or chocolate for the trip.  Overnight in Namche Bazaar.

The day starts by climbing up the Khumjung hill to descend by the east side of the village to a valley which leads to the Dudh Koshi River.  Evidence of Buddhist lifestyle is all around with chortens and prayer flag. Something you will see many times on your trek. But on this part of the trek there is something very interesting.  Here is the birthplace of the Tibetan Lama who is reputed to have introduced Buddhism to the Khumbu (Everest) Region.  The trail continues, heading downwards, through steep switchback tracks to the Dudh Koshi where we find the village of Phortse Thanga where you will spend the night.

After breakfast climb uphill to where the trail goes through a rhododendron forest and passed a cascading waterfall. The trail passes Tongba Village, tongba being the name of a hot millet wine that you may have the opportunity to sample on the trek!   Overnight in Machhermo.

One of today’s highlights is looking down the valley from atop a ridge.  From here you can see Kangtega (6,782m) and Cho Oyu (8,163m). As the valley widens out, the trail descends to the river before climbing up to the terminal moraine of the Ngozumpa Glacier. Here the trail is quite steep. Following the valley, you will pass Lake Longpongo (4,690m). This is the first of the Gokyo Lake system. The Gokyo Lakes are actually six lakes, located in the Gokyo Valley within the Sagarmatha National Park area.  Gokyo village is located on the third lake, with Mt Cho Oyu as a backdrop.  Overnight at Gokyo village.

Today climb up Gokyo Ri (5,357m).  From here the view is of the whole Khumbu Region.  Four of the seven highest peaks in Nepal are on view - Cho Oyu, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. And also on view are the blue tranquil lakes (not yet named), collectively known as the Gokyo Lakes. Then the trail takes you to the fourth lake and on to the fifth.  From the fifth lake take in the views of Ngozumba Glacier, the longest glacier in the Himalayas (approx 36km).  This is truly a sight not many people witness. Descend slowly from the high altitude to  overnight at Gokyo village.

Today’s trek is much shorter and at a lower altitude than the last couple of days. A welcome relief perhaps. Again you descend to the Dudh Koshi River and pass the first Gokyo Lake.  Climbing up, you come to a chorten from where the views of Thamserku, Cho Oyu and Kangtenga provide another visual feast while you take a few minutes rest.  Overnight at Dole.

Back in amongst the greenery and colour (in the spring) of rhododendrons and wildflowers, today there is the likelihood of coming across mountain goats. Perhaps, even pheasants and musk deer if you are lucky.  Although you are in Sagarmatha National Park, home of the beautiful Snow Leopard, because of the geographical location, less wildlife is spotted here. Easy to spot, however, are the mountains! They are still on view as you walk through more forested slopes to eventually reach Namche Bazaar where you will overnight. 

Today say goodbye to the Sherpa community at Namche and make your way homewards across the suspension bridges over the Dudh Koshi River for the final time.  You will overnight in Lukla in order to catch the early morning flight.

After breakfast fly out of Lukla. Take in your final views of the mountains from your plane window. You can either fly to Ramechhap and drive (3-4 hours) to Kathmandu or take a helicopter from Lukla to Kathmandu.  Please ask us about the helicopter option.

Depending on your flight time, you will be transferred to the airport three hours prior to the departure time. In case your flight is late evening please let us know if you require half day use of the hotel which will incur extra charges as the check out time is usually 12 pm. Your airport representative will pick you from your hotel accordingly and take you to the international airport for your onward flight.

Bon voyage and pheri bhetaula!